MANU TEMPLE

Located in the Old Manali region, you can reach this temple through the road that passes through the Manali Community Center. Dedicated to the Indian sage Manu, this temple is the only temple on this planet that is dedicated to this sage. Thus it makes to be one of the most sacred pilgrimages for the devotees of this saint.

Built with wood and stone, the temple offers exotic views of the Beas River and magnificent hills. In front of the temple, a huge cascade enhances the aesthetics of this resplendent temple. A visit to this sacred temple in an important part of the Manali tour packages.

Manu Temple is an old temple located at a distance of 3 km from the main market of Manali. The entire shrine of Manu Temple is dedicated to the Manu – the Indian Sage, who was acknowledged to be the creator of this world. In fact, some legends rely heavily on the fact that the present-day temple is the exact place where sage Manu would meditate regularly.

Unlike other temples that stood with it, this temple was never built for the ones who carry their hearts on their sleeves. To make your way to the shrine, you need to trespass a narrow road, which in itself seems to be nothing less than a thrilling adventure. Yet, the adventure buffs will find this place to be a perfect blend of comfort and exploration.

If you keep its thrill aside, the Manu temple leads you one step closer to Mother Nature and makes you realize that there’s much more to this life. The moment you step on the porch, you will start sensing a fresh and calm breeze blowing all around. It feels as if they are taking charge of all your senses and driving you into another land filled with religious sanctity and spiritualism.

Soon, in the year 1992, Manu Temple was re-constructed with marble floors and vaulted ceilings. If you take a close look at the structure of the temple today, it more or less resembles the pagoda style of architecture. The beauty of the Manu temple is amplified ten folds by its gorgeous surroundings of the Beas River Valley.

As the level of spirituality and religious significance is quite high here, the temple follows strict conducts with regards to whom they let in. So, if you are really desirous of exploring this ancient brilliance, you have to religiously follow their codes of conduct, especially the way you dress while visiting there.

Not to forget about the topographical conditions that this temple has been blessed with! Trekkers from all corners of the globe are dragged in here to experience a thrilling adventure like never before. When considering Manali Tour Packages, don't miss the opportunity to visit the mystical Manu Temple. It adds a spiritual dimension to your journey amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Manali, offering a unique blend of adventure and tranquility.

How To Reach

Kullu Manali airport is the nearest airport to reach the Manu Temple, which is located at a distance of 53.5 km from the temple. If you are travelling from a far-off distance with heavy luggage, it is always good to move further in a private vehicle.

You may rent a cab to reach your final destination via the NH3 highway. Your overall travel time will be around 1 hour and 39 minutes. Alternatively, the state transport service providers have organized many buses to ply between the Kullu Manali Airport and Manu Temple. In this case, you will get transferred through the Kullu-Naggar-Manali Road.

Best Time To Visit

The months from April to June is the best time to plan your visit to the Manu Temple in Manali. 

Manu Temple in Summers - The climate is pretty cold, and the weather remains pleasant so that you can explore the other tourist places in and around Manali. At a maximum end, the temperature during this period may reach as high as 35 degrees may drop as low as 6 degrees. 

Manu Temple in Monsoons – Manali experiences monsoons between July to September with 220 meters of average rainfall. The post-monsoon scenic transformation merely is adoring. Yet it is advisable not to travel to the temple in monsoons as the narrow path that leads you to the shrine might be prone to unexpected calamities. 

Manu Temple in Winters – Winters at the Manu Temple extends between October to March. As the region receives moderate to a hefty amount of snowfall during these months, the weather turns out to be extremely cold. You may expect the temperature to lie between -1 to 12 degrees throughout the winter season. 

Other Essential Information

Location – Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131

Opening Hours – The Manu Temple of Manali remains open for visitors between 05:00 am and 09:00 pm. One to two hours are quite enough for a regular visitor to explore this temple entirely.

Prayer Timings – For prayer timings, you must approach the priests at the temple. They are the right one to guide you with the available dates and prayer timings.

Facilities

Drinking Water - You will find some drinking water facilities throughout the premises of the Manu Temple. 

Washroom – There are no washroom facilities within the premises of Manu Temple.

Food stalls – Once you come out from the temple premises, there are quite a number of food stalls where you could find some quick bites to eat.

Photography – Photography is strictly prohibited here within the premises of the Manu Temple. So, if you are carrying your DSLR, by default, you have to drop it at the security counter. No security personnel will allow you to take your DSLR inside. In fact, you may buy some images of the temple from the stalls around it.

Distance from Nearest Airport – The nearest airport to reach to Manu Temple is Kullu Manali, which is situated at a 53.5 km distance from the temple. If you drive via NH3 highway, you will reach your final destination within 1 hour and 39 minutes. 

History of Manu Temple

The holy shrine of Manu Temple is entirely dedicated to the famous Indian Sage – King Vaivasta Manu. He is believed to be the creator of the human race. The ancient script found here co-relates the name of the Sage with that Manu Alaya translating it to Manu abode.

According to one of the legends here, the Sage Manu, one day, while washing his hands along the sides of a river, came across a small carp fish. Later, he found that the carp was Lord Vishnu, who asked the Sage to rescue him.

As soon as Sage Manu placed the carp in a bowl so that he could save him, the fish started expanding in its size. Thus, the Sage decided to move it to another bigger bowl; yet the fish kept on growing in size.

Unfortunately, the Sage has to transfer it back to the river; but of no use. This time, even the river couldn’t accommodate the growing size of the fish. Eventually, the Sage transferred it to an ocean.

As soon as he let the fish swim in the ocean, he was surprised to see it transformed into Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu informed him about the fact that the flood would soon end this planet. Hearing his words, Sage Manu built a huge boat and asked his family members to board on to it.

Along with him, he took nine species of animals, seeds, and birds. As soon as the flood situation calm down, he landed back to the earth to meditate. This place where he was undergoing his sabbatical meditation period, is the place where the Manu Temple stands today. After that, the king came to be known as Sage.

The Architecture of Manu Temple

The Manu Temple reflects an old architectural temple style and resembles the pagoda in its appearance. The way in which this Manu temple of Manali has been built is commonly found across all the temples existing throughout Himachal Pradesh.

The tiered tower forms the most beautiful part of this temple. It has got a diminishing wooden roof, which closely resembles some of the ancient shrines in and around Nepal. The entire structure of the Manu Temple is carved out from a blend of both wood and concrete.

Thus, you can say that the intellectual architects of this Manu Temple were highly inspired by the Pagoda style of architecture, which evolved from the Stupas. 

Places to Stay near Manu Temple

Here are some affordable places to accommodate yourself throughout your Manu Temple tour - 

1. Johnson Lodge & Spa – This lodge offers rooms with mountain views, rooms with landmark views, suites, family, smoking, and non-smoking rooms. Every room is a soundproof room. It is well-facilitated with a dining area, coffee or tea maker, cable or satellite TV availability, extra beds, and a walk-in shower. 

Distance from Manu Temple – 0.3 km

Price range – 3000 to 4000 INR per night

2. Whispering Inn by Vivaan – Whispering Inn by Vivaan offers both suites and family rooms. Every room here features a satellite TV and 24/7 free Wi-Fi connectivity. The property features an outdoor pool, free parking, dry cleaning & laundry service. 

Distance from Manu Temple – 0.5 km

Price range – 2800 to 3500 INR per night

3. Banon Resorts Manali – Banon Resort is a beautifully carved resort known for both its exclusive style and comfort. This is the only resort that offers you the comfort of cottage stay in Manali. These cottages are well-equipped with wood fired stoves to provide you the necessary heat during the cold temperatures. 

Distance from Manu Temple – 0.4 km

Price range – 2670 INR per night

4. Shingar Regency – Shingar Regency is perched atop a hillock at an elevation of 2050 meters and is an ideal resort on the spiritual path that leads to the Hadimba Temple. Local influence is quite reflective in its architectural beauty. A tranquil feel here provides a comfortable atmosphere for your stay while visit to a Manu Temple. 

Distance from Manu Temple – 0.5 km

Price range – 2800 to 3500 INR per night

Places to Eat near Manu Temple

Here are some excellent restaurants to try while you are on your visit to the Manu Temple in Manali – 

1. The Corner House – Here, you will get a wide array of cuisines and delicacies to opt from – Thai, Indian, Tibetan, Italian, American, and European. The food served here is simply out of the box, both in terms of its taste and presentation.

Distance from the Manu Temple – 2.5 km (12 minutes) 

2. Forno – Here, you will get specifically Italian and European style cuisines and delicacies. Both food and customer service here are impeccable. 

Distance from the Manu Temple – 2.5 km (12 minutes)

3. Johnson Bar & Restaurant – This is a restaurant cum bar where you will get a wide array of Italian and Asian food preparations. Their Pina Coladas are worthy of trying!

Distance from the Manu Temple – 2.1 km (10 minutes)

4. Café 1947 – This is an international gastropub cum café serving delicious pan grilled Bassa, bruschettas, pasta, and pizzas.

Distance from the Manu Temple – 7.1 km (22 minutes) 

Tips For Visiting Manu Temple

Here are some quick tips to follow while visiting the Manu Temple of Manali for the very first time – 

1. As with the other temples across India, the photographers might be disheartened as the temple authorities won't allow you to click a single picture within their premises. However, if you are still enthusiastic, you may click some images as soon as you step out of the temple premises. 

2. This is an ancient temple and hence is acknowledged by old customs and tradition. It is, therefore, advisable for you to be decently dressed while you plan to make a visit here. Make sure that your shoulders and knees are fully covered while coming here. 

3. If you are self-driving in your private vehicle, you may be disappointed as the Manu temple premises has no parking lot of its own. You are therefore supposed to park your vehicle at a reasonable distance from the temple premises. From the parking area to the temple, you will have to walk down a steep and narrow path. 

4. Make sure that you do not litter in and around the temple premises. It is advisable to keep the temple premises unpolluted and clean as a responsible tourist. 

5. If you are looking for Manali packages inclusive of a visit to this shrine, you won't find any. The narrow and steep path of the temple is the sole reason why tour planners often neglect, including this location in their itinerary. In such a scenario, what you can do is that you can simply hire a local tour guide to direct you to the temple.